Sue Ann Glusenkamp

Faith Community Nurse

Nursing is a second career for Sue Ann. She was an elementary school teacher before attending nursing school. Her BA degree in Elementary Education is from Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois, and her BS in Nursing degree is from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Sue Ann has practiced adult Medical/Surgical nursing combined with Faith Community Nursing (FCN) for most of her nursing career.

After receiving her Master’s degree from Regis University in Nursing Leadership and Nursing Education, Sue Ann was a Clinical Educator for six years before coming to Augustana. The daughter of a Lutheran pastor and spouse of a Lutheran pastor, she feels blessed to be a part of health ministry in Lutheran congregations. Sue Ann was a FCN both in St. Louis and Minneapolis in ELCA churches, prior to moving to Colorado. Growing up in the Lutheran tradition and attending Lutheran schools for the majority of her education equips Sue Ann with a rich appreciation for congregational life and Lutheran theology and worship. Sue Ann’s spouse, Ron, works remotely for ELCA church wide offices in Chicago. They have three adult children living in Chicago, Seattle, and Atlantic Beach, Florida. Sue Ann enjoys travel, gardening, cycling, hiking, cooking, reading and singing. She practices yoga and runs several times each week. She is committed to promoting healthy behaviors for body, mind, and spirit. One of her favorite Bible verses is 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in LOVE.”

 

Contact Sue Ann at 303-388-4678 ext. 106 or by email.

What is Faith Community Nursing?

The focus of faith community nursing practice is on prevention, health promotion, care management, and referral. The faith community nurse does not provide ongoing physical care, administer medications, draw blood, or do other invasive procedures. This ministry is not a substitute for pastoral care, medical care, home health care, or social services, but rather works in collaboration with these disciplines.

What are the benefits of a Faith Community Nurse to you?

The Faith Community Nurse is a:

  • Health educator, providing opportunities for you to learn about health topics so you can make an informed decision;
  • Health advocate/health counselor, listening and discussing health issues with you and/or your family in your home, hospital, nursing home or church;
  • Referral source, serving as a liaison to connect you with community services;
  • Facilitator and coordinator of care-related volunteers, identifying and recruiting congregational volunteers to assist you as needed;
  • Integrator, assisting you to bring together faith and health in your life; and
  • Support group facilitator, assessing need within the congregation, and developing appropriate groups.

The Faith Community Nurse also:

  • Assists with Pastoral Care Visits;
  • Writes articles on health and wellness in The Tower;
  • Offers a clinical site for master’s and nursing doctorate students desiring parish nursing experience; and
  • Participates in community educational events.